Cooperative values are key to Mayo Farming future

Labour’s Cllr Keith Martin says that the current stranglehold by supermarkets on farmers and food producers can only be broken by reverting to traditional Co-Operative Values.

According to Cllr Martin "Unfair attempts by supermarkets to force down prices at the farm-gate is cutting margins to food producers. This has negative consequences for producers."

"As consumers we all subscribe to the ideal of cheaper food. However, the supermarket model needs competition. You can't have inexpensive food and advocate for a rural economy at the same time. There has to be a trade-off."

"The Co-Operative movement has embarked on a process of consolidation and has adopted a “company” model which guarantees a return to farmers for milk and grains but also squeezes them in terms of prices paid for sales of meat to supermarkets."

Cllr Martin, who is Chairman of the Westport Farmers Market on the Mall says "one way to offset this would be for farmers to revert to the old Co-Operative model that would see local producers selling in local markets. I believe that some consumers are ready to pay a premium for locally produced food which guarantees traceability."

"The real question we must ask ourselves is how can farmers compete with supermarket tactics that advocate a ‘buy one get one free' approach. Consumers have a responsibility in this regard also.

Personally I will always choose local beef, pork, lamb, chicken or vegetables that are produced locally over meats imported from as far away as Brazil or New Zealand. Shopping locally for local products insures that the consumer is buying a top quality product and at the same time is supporting local farmers, creating local jobs and investing in their own area.”